St. Landry democrat., 1887-11-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From orr Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 81, 1897.

w WASHINGTON, W.. ~, ICc''
One of the busiest men IN Nashlh&-
ton is President Cleveland. who is now
absorbed in investigating the reports OF
Government bureau officers and statlStl-
cal works for the purpose OF preparing
his ANIMAL message to Congress. Most
of the large libraries in the Capital have
contributed something to the end IN
view. and doubt whether even the en-
cyclOpedia Is an exception.
The President Ia not the only one
preparing for the long session or toh-
gress now so near at hand, as the Con-
gressmen themselves are arriving IN the
rity every day, so as to have plenty OF
time to settle themselves down before
beginning the long and laborlOus task
of next sessions work, which will prob
ably extend far into the summer. 1t is
likely that the skirmish line of the Pre-
sidental contest of 1888 will be fought
in the Fifteth Congress, so it is highly
DrobabIe that many exciting and sensa-
tional scenes will be enacted in the eff
fort to manufacture political capital for
use in the pending campaign.
The tariff will be the question of all
others that will occupy the attention Of
that body, while the disposition of the
Treasury surplus will perhaps be con-
sidered collateral SUBJECT.
The Interstate Commerce law will be
amended, and in new legislation, efforts
will be made for the better protection
of railroad passengers from being roas-
ted to death by beating stoves and ker-
Osene lamps. Those who advocate gov
eminent control of the telegraph expect
to move in behalf of their favolite mea-
sure. A perfect shower of pension bills
NAV be expected, but | am of the Opin-
ion that most of them will gracefully
repose on the table until unceremoni-
0usly committed to the Congressional
or Presidential waste baskets, for re-
form and rctrenchment will be the
watchwords with Democrats, while the
Republicans will chiefly figure as NAL
contents and obstructionists.
The Fisheries Commission, of which
Won have heard so much, has engaged
thirty-two rooms at one OF the leading
hotels and will begin its deliberations
the latter part OF next week, at which
time the arrival Of the British Commits
sioners is expected; their American col
leagues are now here in consultation
with Secretary Bayard as to their duties
and the extent of their authority.
The differences of opinion between
the Civil Service Commissioners in re-
gard to the scope and operations of the
law which they are called upon to en-
force, have become SO acrimonious that
their personal relations are strained
and the controversy has become a pub |
lic scandal. These once dignfied Off |
cials have fallen to fighting among
themselves like trio of unruly school !
boys, and it is not at all improbable |
that the President will feel it his duty t
to play the role Of teacher and give |
them a sample of his discipline.
For long time the Postofice Depart
ment was greatly phzzled at the whole
sale reduction in the salaries OF those
postmasters whose pay depends upon
the amount of postage stamps cancelled
in every case where a Democrat has
succeeded Republican. But an inves-
tigaton shows that the Republican
postmasters had been making false re-
turns and charging for stamps sold but
not cancelled, while, on the other hand,
their Democratic successors have kept
honest accounts with the government.
The result is that the old Republican
postmasters have been compelled to re-
fund half million dollars wrongfully
from the United States. Turn
the rascals out"
The third and fourth class postmas-
tiers are dissatisfied with their salaries,
and purpose holding national conven-
ton in this city in December, with the ,
object of calling upon Congress to pro-
vide some way for an increase of their
compensation.
Secretary Whitney has temporarily
retired from the Cabinet, on account of ,
illness brought on by overwork last
summer. 1t is hoped that the genial
and popular New Yorker may soon be
restored to health and return to duty at
the head Of the Navy Department, :
where he has rendered the country such :
distinguished and substantial public T
Iervices.
I am glad to see that hundreds of ,
good Democrats in the departments
lere are showing a truly commendable +
party devotion by making arrangements +
o return to their old homes in the .
doubtful States and vote for the Domo- {
;ratic candidates in the fall elections. :